Method and circuit for simultaneously establishing communication links between a subscriber station and further subscriber stations

Abstract

A method and circuit for simultaneously establishing communication links between a subscriber station connected to a switching center of a communication network via a single subscriber line and other subscriber stations connected to the same communication network wherein, the relevant subscriber line is operated as a multi-channel multiplex line, between the switching center and a translating device which is preferably provided at the transition to another communication network, especially the Internet, a multi-channel multiplex junction line, on the one hand, and, on the other hand, a number of individual junction lines exist, in the translating device, a demultiplexer/multiplexer which is used for the respective transition from a multiplex link to individual connections and conversely is located between the multiplex junction line and the individual junction lines.

What is claimed is:  
     
       1. A method for simultaneously establishing a plurality of communication links between a subscriber station, which is connected to a switching center of a communication network via a single subscriber line, and further subscriber stations connected to the communication network, the method comprising the steps of: 
       operating the subscriber line between the subscriber station and the switching center as a multiplex line;  
       setting up the plurality of communication links to a corresponding plurality of communication terminals belonging to the subscriber station via said multiplex line;  
       operating at least one junction line as a multiplex junction line between the switching center and a translating device;  
       conducting back, in the translating device, message signals for various communication links, transmitted in multiplex mode from the subscriber station via the switching center, in individual links to the switching center;  
       setting up individual links from the switching center to desired subscriber stations to be called;  
       accepting message signals, intended for the plurality of communication terminals of the subscriber station, in individual links; and  
       conducting back the message signals to the plurality of communication terminals of the subscriber station via the switching center in a multiplex link.  
     
     
       2. A method for simultaneously establishing a plurality of communication links as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the multiplex link is operated as a time-division multiplex link. 
     
     
       3. A method for simultaneously establishing a plurality of communication links as claimed in  claim 2 , wherein, when using a digitally operated subscriber line with at least one voice signal channel, the channel is divided into a plurality of subchannels in the time-division multiplex link. 
     
     
       4. A method for simultaneously establishing a plurality of communication links as claimed in  claim 3 , wherein the voice signals to be transmitted in the individual subchannels are transmitted in compressed form. 
     
     
       5. A method for simultaneously establishing a plurality of communication links as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein, when the translating device is used in a gateway to a further communication network, message signals and signaling signals are transmitted to and from the plurality of individual communication terminals in the form of data signal packets in the further communication network. 
     
     
       6. A circuit for simultaneously establishing a plurality of communication links between a subscriber station and further subscriber stations, comprising: 
       at least one subscriber station having a plurality of communication terminals;  
       a digital switching center of a communication network, the subscriber station being connected to the digital switching center via a single subscriber line;  
       a multiplexer/demultiplexer, wherein the communication terminals are connected at a subscriber end of the subscriber line of the subscriber station via the multiplexer/demultiplexer;  
       a translating device having a demultiplexer/multiplexer and being connected to the switching center via at least one junction line, wherein the demultiplexer/multiplexer and the multiplexer/demultiplexer multiplexer links are set up to and from the communication terminals of the subscriber station via the subscriber line; and  
       a plurality of individual junction lines connecting the translating device to the switching center, and via which message signals supplied in a multiplex link via the junction line are conducted back to the switching center via which the message signals can be forwarded to appropriate subscriber stations to be called, and via which message signals intended for the communication terminals of the subscriber station can be accommodated in individual links, wherein the message signals are transmitted, via the demultiplexer/multiplexer, in a multiplex link via the junction line to the switching center and, via the switching center toward the communication terminals.  
     
     
       7. A circuit as claimed in  claim 6 , wherein the translating device is contained in a gateway to a further communication network, wherein communication links, which are set up and forwarded to and from further subscriber stations connected at the further communication network at at least one of the switching center and another switching center of the communication network, are set up between the gateway and the subscriber station. 
     
     
       8. A circuit as claimed in  claim 7 , further comprising: 
       a translating circuit, in the case where the further communication network is formed by a data network, provided between the multiplexer/demultiplexer and the subscriber line of the subscriber station, wherein circuit message signals and signaling signals delivered by the communication terminals are translated into data signal packets which are processed in the further communication network, and in which circuit data signal packets supplied from the further communication network are translated into message signals and signaling signals for delivery to the communication terminals of the subscriber station.  
     
     
       9. A circuit as claimed in  claim 6 , wherein the multiplexer/demultiplexer is connected to the switching system to which the subscriber station is connected, via a separate signaling control circuit by which the connection set up from the subscriber station via the switching system to the translating device connected thereto are controlled.